The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-12-18
wHAr rs GONG ON ~ SOCIETY

Tho death OF Mrs. Aston clouicd the social
horizon lust week. and neither III. Living
ston's bell nor the first coti,lon were rs brilliant
as thoy otherwise would have Ieen. Very htlo
lis left to DO said OF the dspaftsd one. Sbo
passed away In the ctty whore abe was BON,
crowned with the rospect and admir-. ton of
the people among whom she lived. and followed
to her last homo py tho bcnedictions OF vast
numbers whose lives were majo brighter BY
her sympathy. Kindness, and generous aid.
MIR. and Miss Livingstone ball on Monday
evening was almost a reproduction OF Mrs.
Morriss tho week before, except that A.
was o little moro lively. and the decorations,
being confined to two colors, pink and white.
were moro effective and becoming. DANCING
was begun late and kept up until nh ocrly hour
Of the morning. Indeed. from present IN.
pearancos the dances this wintcr promise Ia
keep moro unreasonable hours than ever b..
fore. Midnight is we'll advanced before car.
riaEes begin to arrive ct Dclmonico's door, and
supper Is seldom over before 2 In the morning.
anon comes the ~cotillcn. with it's innumerabls
figures. md tho young feet which fly throush
lite mazes are seldom at rest before s.
This Is literally killing work, and tho conse-
duenco VIII be complete exhaustion for tho
women before the season is half over. nud The
Rraaual retlrcmont OF young men, who have
their way to make In tho world. from all dane.
ing duties or pleasures. To 90 to bed Al &
and rise again at 8 refreshed is a physical i'm.
possibility. and what is gained to society or in.
dividuals by the Introduction Of foreign cus-
toms into community whose habits Of life ara
30 widely divergent, 1t would puzzle a social
autocrat to say. The hour for dining has boen
growing later for several years, and Z o'clock
for family dinners and 8 for formal banquets
are now fashionable. But oven 80, the MARGIN
Is wider than It used to be for the boil goors,
No dinner can spread itself ovor more than two
hours without detriment to the cheerfulness
and enjoyment Of the guests-so TINT where q
party propose to 60 together to q ball either q
dreary interval Of waiting must occur. or the
dinner must be delayed till 0 o'clock. all OF
which is very silly.
In spite Of the absence Of several Of the com.
mittee. and q I'm aller attendance than usual Of
married bellies, tho cottllon on Thursday even
ing was gay and pretty. The younger element
predominated as usual, and the dGbutantes
turned out In force. The most noticeable
figure in the cotillon was Mrs. Bradley Martin.
who was reGally costumed in a delicate shade
Of pink velvet, richly embroidered with silver,
Her jewels rivalled those Of Mrs. William Aston,
and seemed to embrace not only . sun, but q
complete solar system Of flashing gems. Ola.
monds Of wonderful size glittered on her neck. in
her hair and ears, and made q complete stomach.
er for the front Of her gown. In additt.n. 10.
settes Of rubies and brilllants. with long glitter
ing tags, formed shoulder knots to fastsn hsr
sleeves. Mrs. Frederick R. Jones, formerly
Miss Rawle Of Philadelphia, looked extremely
well In q rich dress Of Garnet-oolored silk.
while Mrs. Elliott Roosevelts delicate besuty
was well set OF by white and green. Nra
Henry Ascher Robbins In gray and pink. Mrs.
Clarence Cary In white and silver, and Mrs. VII.
liam Bacon In dark blue volvet, relieved BY
white trimmings. wore all looking their bost.
Among tho girls, Miss May Brady was
charming In white watsred silk. with o
profusion OF pink roses, and Miss Grace SHELL
ing wore white tulle with garlands Of white r.
laos. 4 wreath Of nlacs which GRO Wnsd her
small head gave . finish to the costume that
was thoroughly French. The beneficiary Of
Mondays entertainment. pretty Miss Clarlsso
Livingston. was becominRly attired In blue
and silver, as was also Miss Lily Redmond.
door posts were, as Of old. well supported
by about forty non-danoing men, while moro
than ono young lady In whose honor intro
ductory balls and teas have been recently
given went home before the cotillon. or sat
weary and neglected, with hardly . man to
speak to her. II ballroom youths who arc not
specially ornamental find dancing N insup-
portable fatigue. they might at least make An
effort to talk now and then.
Mrs. Minturn's dance on Monday night for
her second daughter, who Is said to 10 . beauty
az well as an heiress, win make . pleasant
break in the Delmonico balls. An interesting
feature will be the absence Of married ladies'.
The first Of the Patriarchs zones on Tuesday
and finishes the subscription affairs for this
year. It is said. but we have NO particularly
good reason for believing 1t. that tho stately
old Patriarchs have been cutting their invita-
ton lists this season. and that their 6rst ball
will be as exclusive as some OF those that have
preceded 1t. II this sort Of thing goss on. Now
York society will soon be as difficult a. the
court circle at Vienna. where. It is said. every
guest must be able to show nine grandmother.
But It will not &C on. as the spirit Of the age
and Of the people is opposed to II. and tho
open sesame must always come to those who
have refinement. education. and means.
January receptions will be varied again with
weddings. our being already announced as
likely totake place. Miss katharine Wtnthrop's
marriage to Mr.. Hamilton Kean In fixed for the
18th, and on account Of tho youth and beauty
Of the bride and the largo family connection
among very pleasant people on both sides, VIII
probably be tho most interesting Of the group.
The engagement has BEEN recently an
nounced OF Mlss Janet Hing. daughter OF M.
Cornelius King. TO Mr.. Van Rensselaer, Towns
end Of Albany. and also that Of Miss Charlotte
Pearsall to Mr.. Elisha Walker.
The gay season In Washington has begun
earlier than usual this yosr. and although
White House Inequalities are not In order TIN
til New Years day, yet thoro has been . con-
slant succession Of dinners and receptions
during this month. The presence Of Mr.. 10
seph Chamberlain and his associates on the
Fisheries Commission may account for many
Of the festivities. but there seems a general
disposition ct the capital for gayety and on
joyment, and the number Of debutantos and OF
New York and Albany people'establishod there
for the winter has given q more than ordinary
impetus to the march Of events.
Mrs. Whitney's white and gold dinner In
honor OF the Commissioners was o superb al
fair. and will not soon DO forgotten. Her fayor-
ie custom OF introducing good musio In the
drawing room. and Q relay Of guests after tho
dinner Is over. has o refreshing effect. aud was
much enjoyed on this occasion. Mrs. Edward